Gaffers Gob - Local Lads 28/1/09‏

After no Gob report due to illness the Gaffer returns with the news of a 16 - 5 loss to newly promoted team the Local Lads. It was a difficult team performance which saw the return of James and the arrival of another of recruiting sergeant Al's extended family, Rob. despite the newness of these players, it wasn't a bad performance from the Mollie's but we were over matched by a younger, fitter, rougher team with more shooting power up front.

The first five minutes left the Gaffer feeling a lot like i was playing dodgeball rather than football such was the collinder likeness of our defence and the oppositions love of shooting. Fortunately in those early foray's, the opposition were either hitting too straight or too wide leading to a nervy 0-0 after the first five. However this wasn't to last but the Mollie's were able to strike back with some clinical finishing from Gareth. The only other chink of light for us was the opposition goalie having some kind of mental breakdown everytime we hit the back of the net. Clearly, the opposition need to sustain a tight defence or their keeper may not last the season without a stint in the DOP.

For the rest of the team, Al was energetic as ever and all over the pitch, and Leo was left covering the back. James played up front with Gareth and Rob was more of the attacking mindset. This all meant that as we chased the game in the second half, we were left exposed at the back. This (as well as our obviously worse levels of fitness) may have been the reason a 7-4 half time turned into a 16-5 final score. Next week we are again playing Ali Jazeera and we very much need the return of Big Mike. We may have benefitted from the surprise last minute inclusion of Adam and his disciplined defence. Unfortunately, his new shocking working hours meant he could not make even this late a kick off. Either way, the early signs indicate that this season is going to shape up in similar fashion to the last two with us benefitting from default wins and praying for the return of core players to bolster our oft fragile team.

On another note, having read the Goals write up for last nights match i am even more convinced that Local Lads will be promoted as they are clearly receiving impartial treatment from Goals. This in light of receiving the rub of the green last night in some key decisions and them being the focus of the Goals journo's fantasies.